Travel update: Finland, Latvia turn dark red on latest Czech map

Finland, Latvia, and the Azores will be elevated to very-high-risk dark red on the Czech Republic's latest Covid-19 travel map, the Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. The new map takes effect from Monday.

Also in the new map, Poland and Germany move from very-high-risk dark red to high-risk red. Romania, currently listed as low-risk green, will be elevated to medium-risk orange. Conditions on traveling from these countries to the Czech Republic remain unchanged for Czech residents.

The Health Ministry updates it travel map every week based on new data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

From Monday, the Vatican will be the only European state to be listed as low-risk green in the latest Czech map. Non-European states including Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Indonesia, Colombia, South Korea, Canada, Qatar, Kuwait, Macao, New Zealand, Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and Uruguay are also listed as low-risk green.

Romania will be the only country listed as medium-risk orange.

Czech residents without proof of vaccination or recovery coming to the Czech Republic from green and orange states must take a Covid-19 test within five days following their arrival.

From Monday, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Poland and Austria will be listed among the group of high-risk red countries.

All other countries not listed above will be considered very-high-risk dark red. Among EU states, Finland and Latvia join Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Croatia, France, Iceland, Ireland,Italy, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Greece, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary and Balearic Islands in this category.

Czech residents without proof of vaccination or recovery coming to the Czech Republic from red or dark-red countries must take a PCR test between 5-14 days after their return, and wear a respirator outside their home pending the test result. Those using public transport (such as airlines) must also provide a test before entering the Czech Republic.

Upon entering the Czech Republic from all countries, travelers must submit a passenger locator form unless coming by personal transport such as a car.

Foreign nationals who do not have a Czech residence permit must produce a negative PCR test upon arrival in the Czech Republic, even from green and orange countries. Foreigners with complete vaccination and a booster dose, and children aged 12-18 with complete vaccination (no booster needed), are exempt from this requirement.

Foreign nationals who have not been vaccinated must take another PCR test 5-7 days after their arrival in the Czech Republic, and wear a respirator when outside their residence until the result is known.

The Health Ministry continues to recommend that people avoid non-necessary travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Complete details on entry requirements when traveling to the Czech Republic can be found at the website of the Czech Ministry of the Interior.

Other European countries are also tightening travel requirements this weekend, especially for unvaccinated travelers.

Bulgaria: From January 7, all travelers over the age of 12 from "red" countries (including, currently, the Czech Republic) must present proof of vaccination when arriving in Bulgaria.

Italy: As of January 10, proof of vaccination or recovery will be required for hotel accommodation, at ski resorts, and other activities in Italy. Children under 12 are exempt from this requirement.

Austria: From January 11, all non-essential shops in Austria must check for proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19.

Further information on foreign travel can be found at the website of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.